Campo Santa Maria FormosaOne of Venice's most fascinating and authentic districts, it's home to many masterpieces of art.
This region is famous for its Renaissance architecture, picturesque canals and artistic and historical treasures.
Today, I'm going to tell you all about this unique district of Venice.
Here we go!
Santa Maria Formosa: article summary
Church of Santa Maria Formosa
The church of Santa Maria Formosa is the most important historic building in the campo of the same name. It is also one of the eight oldest Venice churches. It is home to many artistic and architectural treasures. These include works by Tintoretto, Palma il Giovane and other great Venetian painters.
According to legend, the church was built in 639 by San Magno di Oderzo. He is said to have received a vision of the Virgin Mary as a beautiful woman. This apparition is said to have indicated the location for the church.
However, the first written documents only date back to 1060. From this period, only the old 15th-century Greek cross motif.
Mauro Codussi, one of the greatest architects of the Venetian Renaissance, completely rebuilt the church in 1492, giving it the Renaissance style we can admire today. The present building is one of his masterpieces, blending Byzantine and Renaissance elements.
Visit the bell tower of Santa Maria Formosa church
The steeple of the Santa Maria Formosa church is the tall bell tower that stands beside the church. Dating back to the 12th century, the bell tower has been rebuilt several times over the centuries, after fires and collapses. The current structure dates back to the 15th century is slender and majestic.
The mascaron is a decorative element on the church façade, depicting a stylized male face. It is located above the entrance portal and is said to have been created by Jacopo Sansovino, one of the most famous sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. The mascaron is one of the most interesting details of the church's façade and has become one of the symbols of the Campo di Santa Maria Formosa.
The Grimani Palace
The Palazzo Grimani di Santa Maria Formosa is one of Venice's most important Renaissance palaces.
The palace, commissioned by the Grimani family in the 16th centurywas designed by the greatest architects of the Venetian Renaissance, Michele Sanmicheli and Giovanni Maria Falconetto. Conceived as a series of separate buildings, each can be reached via a large inner courtyard.
Inside the building, there are numerous rooms decorated with frescoes by Venetian Renaissance artists, including Giovanni da Udine, Camillo Mantovano and Francesco Salviati. The palace also houses a collection of ancient sculptures and paintings, including works by Titian and Veronese.
Today, it belongs to the State and is open to the public as a museum. A visit to the Palazzo Grimani in Santa Maria Formosa is a must for lovers of Venetian art and history.
Le Querini Stampalia
The Querini Stampalia is one of the campo's most evocative buildings. The palace dates back to the 16th century. Built for the noble Querini family, it has undergone numerous renovations and extensions over the centuries. The latest and most important renovation appeared in the 20th century. This section was designed by Carlo Scarpa, one of the greatest Italian architects of the 20th century.
A visit to the palace is a unique experience, offering the chance to admire the Querini family's original furniture and art collection, as well as modern and contemporary works of art. exhibited in the Galerie d'Art Moderne.
Among the most interesting works of art preserved in the palace are engravings by Albrecht Dürer, paintings by Giambattista Tiepolo and drawings by Canaletto. The palace is also famous for its library. This houses a collection of over 350,000 volumes, manuscripts and incunabula.
The Palazzo Querini Stampalia is one of Venice's hidden gems. A place where art, culture and history come together in an unforgettable experience for visitors.
Now you know the main attractions of Campo Santa Maria Formosa. To make your trip complete, I recommend that you visit one of the places described above! A change of scenery guaranteed!
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